On August 12, Champagne officially began the earliest harvest since records began in the early 20th century. 

Following an exceptionally hot year, the weather in the region is currently sitting 3-4 °C above typical mid-August levels. 

This, according to winemakers, brought major challenges as the hot weather accelerated ripening and produced grapes with a higher sugar content. 

Commenting on the premature harvest, the Champagne Committee (CIVC) said that this year was more than a week earlier than last year’s August 20. 

Producer comments 

On the early conditions, a representative from Champagne Mandois commented that they began harvest yesterday, on August 17. 

“Champagne has never seen such an early harvest, nor such high levels of ripeness,” they said. 

“This is a new challenge for Claude Mandois, Luis, our vineyard manager, and Maximilien, our cellar master.” 

Meanwhile, via Instagram, Olivier Krug, director of Krug Champagne House, said: “Because of the heat wave, the team decided to pick very early and stop before the sun started to hit.” 

He added: “Grapes are small but beautiful, rich, expressive and indeed still as precise as expected from this very special terroir.”